Full Name: Vishal Pooran
Position: MD of Egoli Gas
Main Activity of the Company: Reticulation and trading of natural gas through pipeline
Date and Place of Birth: November 26, 1972, in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: BTech (Mechanical Engineering), Durban University of Technology, 1999; postgraduate diploma in management studies, Management College of Southern Africa, 2002; registration as a gas distribution professional, Gas Technology Institute, Chicago, US, 2005; registration as a pipeline integrity management professional, Gas Technology Institute, Chicago, US, 2007; Board Development Programme, Gordon Institute of Business Science, 2012
First Job: Learner design draughtsman at Iscor Newcastle in 1993
Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent 24 years in various roles at Sasol, including 18 years at Sasol Gas Operations (last position was divisional manager: pipeline integrity); senior manager: supply chain, Sasol Group; VP: group real estate, Sasol Group
Size of First Pay Packet: R312 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: R1.15-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 131
Management Style: Collaborative and participative
Personal Best Achievement: Meeting and marrying my wife and the birth of my two children
Professional Best Achievement: The first in-line inspection of the 865 km Mozambique-to-Secunda pipeline in 2008, and being part of the core project team that build the Sasol Place global headquarters, in Sandton
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Menal
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Wrenelle Stander, former CEO of Comair
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: The Dalai Lama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: In South Africa – Simphiwe Mehlomakulu; internationally – Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: Do good and be good
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Becoming MD of Egoli Gas
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Anytime that an injury occurred under my watch
Hope for the Future: Creating a better life for South Africans
Favourite Reading: Books by Stephen Hawking, autobiographies (Steve Jobs's is one of my favourites) and books on spiritual awakening
Favourite TV Programme: Dirty Jobs
Favourite Food/Drink: Mutton curry and roti
Favourite Music: Anything from the 80s and Trinidad Chutney music (traditional music)
Favourite Sport: Cricket and Formula One
Favourite Website: None
Hobbies: Music – playing Chutney songs, fixing anything mechanical or electronic, or at least trying to
Car: Lexus and Jaguar
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Anyone who is not true to themselves
Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple – but I also love Tesla
Married: To Menal Singh since April 27, 1996
Children: Aarya, 21; Aadit, 14
Clubs: None